It reappeared in Challenge of the Samurai, where it managed to weaken a wild Weedle for Ash to capture, but the small bug escaped when Samurai arrived and challenged Ash to a battle. Weakened by battle with Weedle, Pidgeotto battled Samurai's Pinsir and was defeated by a Tackle. It also battled Geodude when Ash had a rematch with Brock, but its Gust proved ineffective on the Rock/Ground-type Pokémon, and it was knocked out and recalled.

It had a much more successful battle in the Cerulean Gym, where it fought Starmie. Although the battle was interrupted by Team Rocket, Pidgeotto easily had the upper hand over Starmie, using Gust to propel Starmie with great force into the Gym's wall. However, it was defeated easily along with Butterfree by A.J.'s powerful Sandshrew, despite the type advantage.

Pidgeotto was gradually weeded out as an everyday battler when Ash captured Bulbasaur, Squirtle and Charmander, used most often to blow away SmokeScreens, pop holes in Team Rocket's balloon, or scout around to find the way to their next destination. In Tentacool & Tentacruel, Pidgeotto bore Pikachu into battle with a giant Tentacruel, and was the only one of itself, Butterfree and Zubat to avoid Tentacruel's attacks, allowing Pikachu to attempt to negotiate a truce with the colony.

Pidgeotto played a very important part in Ash's Gym battle in Battle for the Badge!. Ash's Squirtle and Bulbasaur were being brutalized by Giovanni's Kingler and Machamp, commanded by Jessie, but Pidgeotto turned the tables by using a Quick Attack/Double-Edge combination to inflict serious damage on the Rhydon.

Pidgeotto towed Team Rocket's balloon all the way to the stadium in order to allow Ash to reach his battle with Ritchie in time. However, it was too exhausted to battle, leaving Ash with only his disobedient Charizard to fight with once Squirtle and Pikachu were defeated.

Pidgeotto tried to lead the wild Pidgey to safety, but was badly injured. Desperate to help its fellow birds, Pidgeotto evolved into Pidgeot and attacked Fearow with Gust and Quick Attack. It then led the other Pidgey and Pidgeotto to defeat Fearow. Ash released Pidgeot to guard the wild Pidgey so that Fearow would not return for a sneak attack.

Other appearances

Personality and characteristics

Ash and Pidgeot

As a Pidgeotto, with Ash

Ash's Pidgeot did not undergo as much character development as his other five team members, as it had far less episodes focused on it. However, it was loyal and had an extremely strong relationship with Ash, the only one of his original six Pokémon he had never been on bad terms with before or after capture. It always followed his orders to the letter, even when this resulted in personal risk of self injury - taking on Fearow, Jessie's Arbok and the Ancient Giant Gengar are just three examples. Brock once stated that Pidgeotto would take any attack for Ash, and Misty lamented that Charizard was not as loyal as Pidgeotto.

A † shows that the move was used recently, unless all moves fit this case or there are fewer than five known moves.

Moves improvised

Gust Counterattack is a variation of Gust, used to force the foe to evade. This technique was used only once by Ash's Pidgeotto in Ash Catches a Pokémon. Pidgeotto slams its wings together, creating a small air flow around its wings forcing Jessie's Ekans to jump away.

Pidgeotto's capture is not shown, it is first seen when Ash is writing home to May Oak describing the Pokémon he has captured on his journey so far. Later, he tries to use it in his Gym battle against Misty, but it has disappeared from its Poké Ball, leaving a note saying "I'm beat! Off to get some R&R. Don't forget to write! -Pidgeotto".

It is unknown if Pidgeotto has permanently left Ash's party following this. It does not appear in the manga since then, including when Ash brings his entire party out of their Poké Balls in You Gotta Have Friends. The role of Ash's main Flying Pokémon is instead filled by Ash's Fearow.

Trivia

Pidgeot debuted long before the episode in which it evolved. Since the first episode of the series, Ash is shown throwing a Poké Ball containing Pidgeot and battling a Fearow in the opening Aim to Be a Pokémon Master.

Pidgeot has since appeared in the tenth opening for the anime, Spurt!. However, it did not return in any episodes aired with the opening.

Pidgeot also appeared in the Battle Frontier opening along with Tyranitar (Larvitar's mother). It was the only one of Ash's old Pokémon to have its Spurt! scene carried across to the dub opening.

In the novel Race to Danger, an original story from the Pokémon anime novelization series, it is stated that Ash reunited with Pidgeot after returning from the Orange Archipelago. As this novel has no affiliation with the original Japanese version and was created specifically for fans of the English dub, this information is regarded as non-canon.